2025 Richard Salcido Lifetime Achievement Award

Sharon Butterworth

Sharon Butterworth has made a transformative impact on mental health in our community and across Texas.

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About Sharon Butterworth:

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Sharon has spent more than two decades working to improve services for and change the perceptions about people with mental illness in our region and across the state. 

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“One in every five people has a mental health condition. That means approximately 150,000 El Pasoans have some sort of mental health issue – depression, schizophrenia, bipolar, eating disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, attention deficit disorder, etc." - Sharon Butterworth, El Paso Inc. Sept. 21, 2015

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Sharon has served as a community advocate and leader on multiple local and state boards dedicated to mental health and social services. She travels frequently to Austin to engage with state leaders and brings state leaders to El Paso to learn about the needs in our community. She’s earned many awards for her volunteer work. Because of Sharon Butterworth’s dedicated leadership, Texans with mental illness have a better chance of finding effective treatment and leading productive, fulfilling lives.

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​Source:
Paso del Norte Community Foundation. (n.d.). Sharon Butterworth Fund for Behavioral Health. Retrieved April 1, 2025, from https://pdnfoundation.org/give-to-a-fund/sharon-butterworth-fund-for-behavioral-health

2025 Community Partner Award

NAMI El Paso

NAMI El Paso is being recognized for their dedication and commitment to our shared mission. Their ongoing efforts as a local community chapter have been instrumental in increasing mental health awareness and reducing stigma throughout El Paso.

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About NAMI El Paso:

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In 1985, Elvia Rubalcava, Clifford J. Reuschlein, and Gregorio Luna had been waiting for some time in the emergency room at R.E. Thomason General Hospital, now known as the University Medical Center.  These individuals found themselves frustrated and dismayed by the lack of information on services, and help for individuals and families in need of services. Mr. Reuschlein was familiar with the Alliance for the Mentally Ill (now the National Alliance of Mental Illness). In 1986, after overcoming challenges and rejections, the El Paso Alliance for the Mentally Ill, now known as the National Alliance of Mental Illness in El Paso, was established along with the creation of the articles of incorporation, nonprofit status, and bylaws.

In 2013, former Board President Richard Salcido, led the charge in applying for a grant from the Think.Change Initiative from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Soon there after, Family Service of El Paso and NAMI El Paso were granted the People Empower El Paso Grant, and have seen significant growth therefor after. 

NAMI El Paso is a grassroots organization that harnesses the considerable passion of our volunteers who are dedicated to transforming El Paso’s experience and understanding of serious mental health conditions.

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​Source:

NAMI El Paso. (n.d.). Mission & Vision. Retrieved April 1, 2025, from https://www.namiep.org/mission-vision/​NAM